Viola and her twin brother, Sebastian, are separated after a shipwreck off the coast of Illyria. Disguised as a boy, Viola enters the service of Duke Orsino, who is in love with Olivia, who in turn falls for Viola, who has meanwhile fallen in love with the Duke.

The comedy is followed by farce with the appearance of Sebastian, who arrives in Illyria having been rescued by Antonio. Set against the enchanting kingdom of Illyria, balancing on a delicate silken thread between light and dark, Shakespeare writes about the madness of love.